Otero passes one, rejects two bond questions

Otero County voters narrowly passed one bond question in Tuesday's election but, conversely, narrowly rejected the other two on the ballot.

Statewide, voters chose all three bonds by wide margins, nearly two to one, state election records show.

Slightly more than 51 percent of voters in Otero County passed bond question A, which will allow for no more than $10.35 million for senior citizen facility improvements, construction and equipment.

The Alamo Senior Center will receive $265,000 to make improvements to building code compliance, including purchase and installation of equipment, according to the New Mexico Secretary of State's office.

Ronnie Ortega, Manager at ASC, said last week that the center would be able to buy a new roof and replacement moveable walls for the facility if the bond passed.

The Cloudcroft Senior Center will also get about $8,000 for equipment purchases and installation, documents show.

Kathy Swope of Sacramento Senior Services said last week her organization has a new center in High Rolls tied to the bond question.

Swope said her organization is in "desperate need" of a new building.

Statewide, the bond question passed with 61 percent of the vote, state election records show.

Otero County voters rejected the remaining two bond issues, which will, locally provide money for libraries and improvements at New Mexico State University-Alamogordo. Both questions failed to pass by less than 125 votes and Bond question C was rejected by 34 votes, according to the Otero County Clerks Office.